The Green Wave unit is filled with oodles of soft-spoken, intelligent and intense individuals -- but there isn't a lot of chatter or rah-rah guys on defense.

"I'm kind of a quiet field on the field, but I play with a lot of emotion on the field, " Wacha said. "I get fired up before games, during games; I play with a lot of intensity. I think we do need a couple people to step up and really be loud and carry the team. We'll see. . . . I think the problem is we're all thinking a little bit too much and analyzing. We're still kind of learning the defense a little bit and perfecting the defense, so kids are kind of staying quiet a little bit."

Injuries and suspensions also have set back the unit's development a bit. The defense isn't quite where Coach Bob Toledo wants it. Tulane is ranked 114th nationally in rushing defense (219.67 yards allowed per game) and 97th against the pass (251 yards per game). The unit is ranked 114th in total defense (470 yards per game).

But the safeties are playing well, and Wacha has stood out.

"He's been a real surprise for us, " Toledo said. "He was a corner when he came, and now we moved him to safety. He was kind of a man without a position; he was doing everything and doing nothing. All of the sudden, he came alive. . . . But he's playing better than he's ever played."

Singling down to one position has helped.

"He's one of those guys that starting to get it, " defensive coordinator Steve Stanard said. "He's really starting to come into his own. He's a smart, physical player and he's really developed himself into that. . . . He's physical. He likes to be up there in the mix. . . . We need to develop that here, getting to be physical, aggressive players. That's what this game is. It's not choir practice."

Wacha wouldn't be mistaken for a choir boy either. He has been flagged twice this season for late hits. One of them, Stanard said, was a bad call that was recognized as such by the referees after the fact.

The other came in the McNeese State game and was perhaps a little more honestly earned.

"The last one, I retaliated and the person who retaliates always gets the call, " Wacha said refusing to disclose what spurred his anger. "We keep that between us."

Though no coach delights in unsportsmanlike penalties, seeing passion is a good thing for such an even-steven group.

"We're playing with a lot more emotion than we were last year. That's one thing I've noticed, " Wacha said. "It will better us in the long run you know."

The defense is drawing heavily from Wacha and strong safety Chinonso Echebelem, who is leading the team in tackles (21, with 12 solos). Stanard said Echebelem should be leading the team in that category because he is basically the unblocked linebacker on many plays. Wacha is third on the team with 14 tackles.

Wacha admires Echebelem's approach.

"He's a smart player, " Wacha said. "I've learned a lot from him just sitting in meetings, just the way he goes about playing football. We kind of work together well. We always have each other's backs on play action. We know where each other is at; we communicate before the play. We try to see things and talk to each other to let each other what is going to happen -- things like that."

"'So-So' (Chinonso) really studies the game. He spends time watching a lot of tape, so he knows a lot of things before they are going to happen, " Stanard said.

So though the bottom line statistics aren't favorable, the unit is beginning to find itself. Is there any chance Wacha will develop into that vocal guy?

"I wouldn't say you're not going to get that, " Wacha said with a smile. "We'll just have to wait and see. Maybe I'll have to bust out one day."